BP the Bolney Stage and Wykehurst Park

Uif!Cpmnfz!Tubhf!ebuft!gspn!bcpvu!2611! bne!pp{ft!dibsbdufs!xjui!jnhmfnppl! Uif!Cpmnfz!Tubhf!bne! gjsfqmbdft-!bndjfnu!gmbhtupnft!bne!dspplfe! Wzlfivstu!Qbsl-!Cpmnfz-! cfbnt/ A 5 mile circular pub walk from the Bolney Stage in Bolney, West Sussex. The walking route explores the beautiful Wftu!Tvttfy surrounding hills and valleys, with amazing views and plenty of wildlife. There’s something for everyone on this varied route, from woodlands to parkland, sheep pastures to smallholdings and even a vineyard. Challenging Terrain Hfuujnh!uifsf

Bolney is located about 11 miles north of Brighton, just to the west of the A23. The walk starts and finishes at the Bolney Stage which is on London Road (just north of the village 6!njmft! centre) and has its own car park. Djsdvmbs!!!! Approximate post code RH17 5RL. 3!up!4!ipvst Wbml!Tfdujpnt

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Stand with your back to the pub, facing London Road. Cross over the road with care to take the signed public footpath into the woodland opposite. Keep ahead as the path narrows following a fence on the left and an (encroaching!) tall hedge on the right. (Do persevere if this is a little overgrown – it is Access Notes only a few hundred yards and the rest of the walk is worth it!). The path opens up a little with fenced fields each side, you may see a pair of donkeys to the left. 1. The route has several climbs and descents throughout. You will reach a T-junction with another path, turn right here. Follow the woodland footpath downhill and at the bottom you’ll 2. The paths are unmade for the most part and can get come to a minor fork. Keep left here, signed as the public quite muddy in winter and after periods of rain so footpath and continue as the path passes to the left of a large pylon. good waterproof boots are recommended. 3. There are a couple of sections of road walking along quiet lanes so take care of any traffic on these You’ll ﬁnd this and many more walks at iFootpath.com. All iFootpath walks are available to parts. download on the iFootpath iPhone App, allowing 4. You will need to negotiate several gates plus seven you to follow your real-time progress on the live satellite map as you are walking (no more getting lost!). stiles (all of which have either adjacent dog gates or You can also add your own comments, ratings and open fencing alongside). photos to each walk. If you notice any changes required to this walk please contact us at [email protected] 5. Whilst the vast majority of the paths are fenced, you will cross a couple of pastures which are likely to be holding sheep so take care with dogs. The first (and last) sections of path can be a little overgrown – but persevere, it is only a few hundred yards.

© Copyright iFootpath part of OneToRemember LLP UIF!CPMOFZ!TUBHF!BOE!WZLFIVSTU!QBSL!!2 Continue on the path, meandering for some distance. You’ll over the next field. In the field corner, bear left to continue on the see remnants of old iron fencing, part of the old Wykehurst path which crosses the top of the next field. Cross the stile into Park estate. The 105 room mansion at the centre of the estate the next field and continue across the top of this. Another stile was built in 1872 by E. M. Barry, the designer of the Royal leads you out of the field alongside the pretty white Riflemans Opera House. The house and grounds have appeared in many Cottage. films including several made by the Hammer House of Horrors, as well as The Eagle Has Landed. Walk up the short cottage driveway and then turn sharp left down the access lane which runs immediately to the right of the cottage You’ll pass by a derelict stile and the path swings right along (the entrance to Routs Farm). As you reach a fork with a property the bottom of an open area of heath. The path continues past ahead, keep left. The tarmac lane emerges from the trees and another waymarker into a small section of trees and then then begins to climb steadily between sheep pastures. At the top emerges out to a T-junction with a stone drive, one of the of the slope, you’ll come to a junction of lanes. Keep straight entrance drives to Wykehurst Place. ahead on the bridleway lane, with a row of cherry trees to the left. At the end of this line of trees, you’ll see the bungalow farmhouse of Rout Farm on the right. Wzlfivstu!Qbsl!Esjwf!up!Spvu! 1 2 Mpehf!Hbuf Spvu!Gbsn!up!Dsptt!Dpmxppe! 3 4 Mbnf

Turn right for just a few paces and then turn left across a stile. Follow the obvious path which crosses diagonally right over this open field. The path swings left through some trees and then continues ahead to reach the top fence of the field. Cross the stile to reach a T-junction with a quiet residential lane. Turn left along After passing the bungalow on the right, and the first outbuilding this (signed for the High Weald Landscape Trail) and follow it as it on the left, bear left to join the fenced grass footpath which leads swings right and then left, then continue until you reach the T- you around the outside of the sheep holding pens. Pass through junction at the end of the road. the wooden gate and keep ahead for just a few yards, then turn right through the next wide gate to join a wide grass footpath, Turn right along the road edge (signed again for the High Weald fenced between sheep pastures. Landscape Trail), taking care of any traffic. Continue along the pretty lane for some distance, with secluded properties and Follow this beautiful path steadily downhill, enjoying the company paddocks each side. Soon after you pass the entrance to Rout of the sheep through the fences (the rams were very keen to Lodge on the left, look out for a footpath sign and gate on the left. ensure our dog kept walking!) and taking time to appreciate the views. Further along you’ll see a large pond down to the right. If you’re lucky (as we were!) you may see a heron catching his 2 3 Spvu!Mpehf!Hbuf!up!Spvu!Gbsn lunch here. Beyond the farmland, the path narrows with fenced rough fields to the right. Pass through the metal gate ahead to join another section of wide fenced path, this time with horse paddocks each side. As you enter a section of trees, to the right you’ll see a fenced bird enclosure holding hens, geese and turkeys. Keep ahead and then, with The Old Stables to the left, follow the footpath sign which leads you right to join the tarmac access drive. Continue along this drive to reach a T-junction with the road, Cross Colwood Lane.

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Turn left along the lane. After just a short distance (opposite the entrance to the property Colwood Park on the left) turn right through a metal kissing gate onto a signed footpath (note: this field may be holding sheep). Keep close to the left-hand boundary Turn left through this gate into a hillside pasture (which may be to reach the next kissing gate which leads you into a section of holding sheep) and cross the field at about 1 o’clock. Take time to woodland. enjoy the spectacular views ahead. In the bottom corner, pass through a gate and cross the stile immediately afterwards. You will Follow the pretty woodland path for some distance. A little way in, see a small lake visible in the valley bottom ahead. Walk at about the ground to the left opens up and you’ll see orchards here. You 11 o’clock through the area of scrub and the obvious wide path will emerge from the trees to reach a T-junction with a tarmac passes immediately to the left of the lake. track with the gated entrance to the timber-framed Old Mill House opposite. Turn sharp left and after just a few paces, turn right over Beyond the lake, keep in the same direction crossing diagonally a stile. Immediately after the stile look to the right where you’ll

© Copyright iFootpath part of OneToRemember LLP UIF!CPMOFZ!TUBHF!BOE!WZLFIVSTU!QBSL!!3 Disclaimer This walking route was walked and checked at the time of writing. We have taken care to make sure all our walks are safe for walkers of a reasonable level of experience and fitness. However, like all outdoor activities, walking carries a degree of risk and we accept no responsibility for any loss or damage to personal effects, personal accident, injury or public liability whilst following this walk. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that result from changes to the routes that occur over time. Please let us know of any changes to the routes so that we can correct the information. Walking Safety For your safety and comfort we recommend that you take the following with you on your walk: bottled water, snacks, a waterproof jacket, waterproof/sturdy boots, a woolly hat and fleece (in winter and cold weather), a fully-charged mobile phone, a whistle, a compass and an Ordnance Survey map of the area. Check the weather forecast before you leave, carry appropriate clothing and do not set out in fog or mist as these conditions can seriously affect your ability to navigate the route. Take particular care on cliff/mountain paths where steep drops can present a particular hazard. Some routes include sections along see a little display box where you can buy free range eggs (the roads – take care to avoid any traffic at these points. Around farmland take care with children and dogs, particularly around machinery and providers of which are the hens to your left!). livestock. If you are walking on the coast make sure you check the tide times before you set out. Follow this fenced footpath and, after the hens, you’ll pass an enclosure holding friendly rare-breed Gloucester Old Spot pigs. Cross the next stile and keep straight ahead (between more smallholding areas) to join the wide grass track with a hedge running on the right. The path soon narrows and leads you into Nailard’s Wood.

Cross the footbridge over the stream and then keep left at the fork. If you look through the fencing to the right, you’ll be able to see the vineyard of Bolney Wine Estate. We walked in early October and the vines were laden with beautiful red grapes. Started in 1972, the vineyard now covers 39 acres and has become a specialist red wine producer.

Beyond the woodland, a grass path leads you between fenced paddocks. Go through the staggered barrier and keep ahead passing to the right of the stables and the pretty East Lodge.

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Keep ahead into Lodge Lane, the road signed to Bolney Village, taking care of any traffic. Follow the road bending right, and then left and keep ahead for some distance further. You will reach a T- junction with a pre-school on the right. Turn left here, heading uphill. As Top Street bends away to the right, keep ahead on the gravel track (once again part of the High Weald Landscape Trail). As this track bends away left, keep ahead passing a metal vehicle gate onto a smaller path into trees.

Some way in, you’ll pass under an ornate paved arched bridge which carries a private driveway overhead. After a further 50 yards you will reach a crossroads of paths. Turn right here to join the path you used on your outward leg. Keep ahead on this narrow fenced footpath and you will emerge to the T-junction with London Road. Cross over with care where you’ll find the Bolney Stage for some well-earned hospitality.